Spooky's Databases >
Things You Need to Know
As databases are, they
also generate a lot of questions, discussions and
aggravation
There are some basics
you need to know.
FrontPage 98
The
98 version of the DRW wasn't and isn't widely used.
Thankyou.
ASP
FP2000/2 uses ASP (active server pages) to display
database information.
An ASP file carries the .asp file extension.
As the name implies, the file is an active SERVER page.
In other words, it must be run on the server in order
to display the information on your screen.
Things became a little
more confused when FP2000/2 was released as you could now
display webs in a "My Webs" directory which didn't
require a web server. You could display your files in
your browser like so c:\MyWebs\Home.htm
With ASP, you can
still test and develop on your home PC, but you must be
running a web server such as
Microsoft's PWS4 and viewing your web through this
server. i.e.:
http://localserver/home.asp
Windows XP Professional
includes IIS for developing asp web sites, but
unfortunately XP Home does not.
Here's some good sites
for everything "PWS"
Otherwise you must be
running on a hosted IIS3/4/5 server.
A Unix server, with the appropriate add on (like
Chilisoft) will
run asp, but you will need a database option other than
Access.
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Database connections
FrontPage 2000/2 handles all of the database
connections for you.
Whether you import an Access database, or make one
automagically (sic) with a form, a connection is created.
These connections are fetched from the global.asa file
in the root.
At any time, you can
check and confirm existing connections through Tools
> Web Settings > Database
One thing to note
here, is keep all your database names within normal
naming conventions.
- Name files with
the alphabet and numbers at all times.
- Don't use
special characters (!@#%$^& etc)
- Use _
(underscore) instead of spaces
FP will handle
different database types such as :
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Visual
FoxPro® database development system
- Inprise dBASE
- Corel Paradox
- msSQL
- Other odbc
compliant databases
Security
FrontPage automatically marks the /FPDB/ folder as not
browsable, scriptable, or executable so the database
can only be browsed through asp.
The best
recommendation, is to store it below the root in the
web structure, but this isn't always possible and
you'll have to ask your host if they will allow this if
you find it necessary.
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SQL
As with all Access databases, you may be exposed to
some SQL programming when setting up the DRW.
For simple DRW inserts, the work is done for you.
Custom queries can be performed using complicated SQL
queries, but with a bit of knowledge and lateral
thinking, these can usually be cut and pasted from
Access itself.
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Compatibility Settings
Sometimes the 'Send to database' option is grayed out.
You have probably
found another one of FP's new features. Compatibility
settings.
Check Tools >
Page Options > Compatibility Settings are set to
allow IIS3/4 Server, FrontPage extensions and ASP
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Database Results Wizard Steps
A walk through of the DRW steps, with an overview of
what they do.
[Step
1]
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